Species Parade, Week Nine

Moving 300 miles southwest and up 1,600 feet in elevation from my previous stomping grounds means a whole new environment and a whole new parade of species to celebrate.

IMG_2072There are still juncos and deer. In town, there are still mostly white folks. But things are much different. People and the animals act differently here. Among the humans, there’s not a lot of road rage and Type A behavior, thankfully.

On the wildlife level, I’ve particularly noticed the effect of No Hunting rules in my neighborhood. Never in my life have I seen coyote poop, play, yawn. But, thanks (I imagine) to this neighborhood policy, the animals aren’t as stressed as I’ve seen them everywhere else. It also allows for more intimate viewing and reminds me that we’re in their space, not the other way around (as so often happens when animals struggle to adjust to habitat encroachment. Darn us humans!)

To note: This week, I include animals I may not have spotted face to face, but have either heard or seen fresh signs (scat, fresh pawprints, calls in the night).

I did see with my very own eyes (and up close) a bobcat and a golden eagle. The cat was small and the bird was huge. They seemed about the same size.

Mammals:

Coyote

Black Bear

Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle

Elk

Mule Deer

Racoon

Cottontail Rabbit

Grey Squirrel

Brush Mouse

Mole

Prairie Dog

Chipmunk

Bobcat

Beaver

Birds:

Canada Goose

Mallard Duck

Townsend’s Solitaire

IMG_1643Red Shafted Flicker

Steller’s Jay

Clark’s Nutcracker

Tufted Titmouse

Black Capped Chickadee

Mountain Chickadee

American Crow

Common Raven

Scrub Jay

Magpie

Turkey

Bear print

Bear print

Dark-Eyed Junco

Ringed Turtle Dove

Rock Dove

Mountain Bluebird

American Kestrel

Turkey Vulture

Red-Tailed Hawk

Starling

American Robin

Western Screech Owl

Great Horned Owl

Dusky Grouse

Golden Eagle

 

 

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